All measurement involves a “fair” comparison.

When children have many opportunities to make and discuss comparisons, they become more competent with the procedural requirements of measurement. Making direct comparisons in the preschool classroom is critical preparation for later, more sophisticated indirect measurement activities and builds the conviction that to be accurate, measurement must be fair.

The Biggest Pumpkin Ever by Steven Kroll and A Pig is Big by Douglas Florian are two children’s story books that present opportunities for children to explore the mathematical concept of measurement, particularly the Big Idea that all measurement involves a “fair” comparison.